Okay, so I know I’m about two weeks behind on this but here it is: Craycation 2014 Recap.
As you may remember, Holdy was pretty psyched about going to the ocean. Specifically, she wanted to “get her toes wet, get her butt wet and eat crabs.”
So we didn’t waste any time fulfilling those wishes.
Now, Holdy wasn’t so sure about the whole crab business when it actually came down to it.
But man, does this kid love the beach.
Like, really loves the beach.
Like, even posed-nicely-to-get-her-Scopes-photos-taken loves the beach.
I was so shocked at how well and intently she listened to the photographer. I invited him to come live with us. (He was also 22 and adorable but that’s beside the point).
GB was also a real trooper on the beach. (Check out Holdy in the background.)
He would hang out in his little tent, and was pretty happy unless he got too hot or his sister kicked sand in his face. Which both happened.
So GB and I would chill at the pool instead with this sweet setup.
And we were both lovin it.
One of my favorite memories of going to the beach when I was younger was playing with glowsticks on the beach when the sun went down. So we gave that a shot.
One night, we took a trip over to the amusement park for Holden’s first taste of some non-quarter-at-Target rides.
She loved them.
Mostly.
I can watch this video of her on her first roller coaster ride over and over.
I even got a brief night out while my Dad stayed with the kids one night.
And I needed that night out, because the trip was certainly not without its stresses.
Like, tantrums.
And more tantrums.
And then there was the night that my parents went out to dinner on their own.
“Go,” I said.
“I’ll be fine,” I said.
So I took the kids to the boardwalk. And we started out like this:
And within 10 minutes, progressed to this:
I had a very hard time obeying this:
So then I went back to the room and did this:
Don’t get me wrong: there were certainly good times. Like:
and:
But in all seriousness: while traveling with small children absolutely sucks and should never, ever be called a “vacation,” I’m really glad to have created those memories and we definitely were able to have some fun. Holdy especially had a wonderful time and it was great to watch her experience so many things for the first time.
Though I’m happy to not do it again anytime soon.